MOUNT PENN, Pa. — Officials in an eastern Pennsylvania borough say they found a way to save hundreds of thousands of dollars on a needed firetruck - they found it on eBay.
The Mount Penn Fire Company in Berks County solicited bids for a new ladder truck and got one for $808,000. Officials say they would have been paying that off for the next two decades, so they started looking for a used one.
That's when firefighter David Schwoyer found a 1992 Seagrave ladder truck on eBay. Calls to the manufacturer and the Cincinnati Fire Department, the previous owner, convinced officials that it was the right choice.
Chief Timothy Waldman called the owner and agreed to pay $12,000, sweated out an online auction and then headed to Kentucky with a group of his fellow firefighters. The 56 1/2-foot truck needed a new motor from Ohio and a full renovation from a Wisconsin factory.
But officials say that when the truck is delivered in January, the company will be getting a like-new machine for less than $250,000.
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6 comments:
And they will get just what they pay for, a P.O.S., in the fire service there is a lot to be said for reliability Joe, tell your buddy Mike Lewis to buy used police cars, many departments do, oh no, he's your friend, Chief See differant story.
OK,
Hey, Mike, won't you please consider purchasing some used vehicles through eBay so the local Firefighters can't buy them and act just like you?
8:33-
Perhaps those FF's in Penn. need your expertise and acumen -- we sure don't with Gordo in charge.
Anon 833, what makes you think it is a POS? I have seen numerous new pieces of fire apparatus that are nothing but a POS.
Don't put down a company that used ingenuity to take care of their community. Not every department can afford brand new equipment. I have seen many compainies resort to inventive ways to get equipment. Just because it isn't new doesn't mean it isn't good.
I have to admit, getting something and working hard to make it work is sometimes more rewarding then buying something new. While working within a Maryland State Agency, constantly we are reaching out to find pieces of equipment which can be "recycled." Even though we understand fire departments use the equipment over and over, there are some tasks which require a piece of apparatus be ready for action. It may only see a few days a month of action but indeed it is a needed piece of equipment.
If anyone knows of fire departments or police departments or ambulance services willing to "recycle" a piece of equipment to other needy agencies in Maryland, Delaware or Virginia, especially the eastern shore, it would be greatly appreciated to have them offer. Not everyone has a multi-million dollar budget to build a new building, or buy a new truck. Some agencies are willing to work with a hand me down.
Thanks and take care.
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